Attorney General Warns of Fraudulent Sweepstakes Letter

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – If you receive a letter in the mail saying you’re a multimillion-dollar sweepstakes winner, chances are you’re being targeted for a scam.

Idaho’s Attorney General Lawrence Wasden says a fraudulent sweepstakes notification has been sent to at least one Idaho resident, but there might be more. Wasden’s office explains:

The correspondence was created to appear as though it’s an official letter from the Attorney General. It is not. The letter is dated Nov. 17, 2016 and includes a letterhead and the state seal. The text is poorly written and contains numerous errors and capitalization mistakes.

The letter falsely explains to the recipient they’ve won $25 million from the “Mega Millions Sweepstakes Company” and that the prize money is fully registered with the “better business bureau” and the IRS.

“This notification is completely phony, and I encourage anyone who received it to either discard it immediately or forward it to my office,” Wasden said. “No matter what, do not respond to it. It was sent by con artists who only want to trick you into paying them money.”

Wasden has heard from only one recipient, but he suspects there are more Idaho residents who have been targeted with a fraudulent letter.

Here's a copy of the letter. The Consumer Protection Division can be reached at 800-432-3545.